# 18.42: Creating Magic Outside of a System

An episode of [Writing Excuses](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/990871441), 15 Oct 2023, 28 min.

Audio: https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/audio3.redcircle.com/episodes/69f041bb-03c6-4598-9f6a-3bc1c589d080/stream.mp3

How do you write about magic? How do you build a world with magic and spells and potions? We dive into the rules and laws behind magical worlds. We often think of magic as being with a system, but what if it's not? What opportunities and challenges do intrusive magic/emergent fantasy and fabulism create for writers and stories? Our writers and publishers talk about cultural differences across magical systems, and how you can build a fantasy world that is believable. We also talk about surrealism, dream logic, and how sometimes the belief in magic is enough. Homework: Write a scene that brings an element of magic into a mundane place you know well (grocery store, bank, etc.), Try to make it impactful without explaining how it all works. Thing of the Week: The World Wasn’t Ready For You by Justin C. Key Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson. Join Our Writing Community! Patreon Instagram YouTube Facebook Twitter Sign up for our newsletter: https://writingexcuses.com Our Sponsors: * Check out Talkiatry and use my code talkiatry.com/WX for a great deal: https://www.talkiatry.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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